Chemo - Round 2 & Happy Birthday, Dad!

Last Friday, Blake and I headed back to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for Round 2 of chemotherapy. Thankfully, the infection had cleared well enough and blood levels were high enough that Dr. Ward felt like we could proceed. Hm . . . thankfully? Yippee? Well, let's just get on with it, get things moving forward, and get it over with - right? 

Actually, the day "of" chemo isn't too bad. In fact, I look at it kind of like a visit to the HCI Chemo Day Spa. There is a very comfy recliner and TV, all the warm blankets, juice and cookies you could want, a beautiful view of the entire valley, very nice people who hover to make sure your "experience" is going well, and the crab cakes for lunch were delicious! Really, all that was missing was the mani and pedi! See - here's a picture of me during Round 1. Don't I look happy? (I sure miss my REAL hair)

Everything went well - I was "unhooked" and sent home to await the coming of the "chemo tsunami." My experience (all of one other time) is that the yucky stuff rolls in about 24 hours post-chemo. And yep, the tsunami rolled in about then - but I'm doing ok. Today I feel pretty tired, weak and shaky, my mouth is sore, and nothing tastes right. But I'm up and around, the nausea isn't too bad, and I don't feel as "foggy" as I did yesterday. Hopefully the next few weeks will be "uneventful" as my platelets and red and white blood cells drop out of site, then come back - just in time for Round 3!

Yesterday was my dad's 85th birthday. What a great opportunity to celebrate the life of such a great man. Dad taught us how to work hard and do a job well. He taught me how to live conservatively, the value of education, how to organize finances, and how to file my income taxes. He paid for lots and lots of piano lessons, and has come to many recitals and concerts. He worked hard and long and steady to support a family of six kids. But probably the best thing about my dad is how he treated our mother. There has never been a better husband than my dad. He took such good care of our mom! Last week they would have celebrated 60 years together. I know he misses mom a lot - but we're all very glad we still have him here with us. Happy birthday, dad!

A Step Backwards - and Happy 22nd Anniversary!

A quick update. Blake and I visited HCI Friday morning. While the cellulitis was somewhat better (about 10%) - that's after a week of IV Vancomycin - not really good enough. So the decision was made to remove the expander so that the infection could clear and  I could continue with chemotherapy. We were the last case of the day - didn't go to the OR until about 5:00pm.  But everything went well, I got great care, and we were on our way home by 8:00pm. 

Now the goal is to continue work to clear up the infection - then back to chemo when I'm better and the wound is well on it's way to healing. I laid low over the weekend and stayed home from work today. Tomorrow will be a better day.

Thanks, Blake, for again taking such good care of me and for keeping my spirits up! I know this is a step backwards, but there will be many more steps forward here soon.

Of note, today is a very special day. On this day in 1992, I started my job with the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Wow - I was in my mid-30s then, with three teenagers! The group was very small then (just moved from five to seven attendings, and there was only a part-time staff and ME). We were not even really a division yet. But we have grown and morphed into a fabulous division with more than 25 attendings, seven fellows, and a full office of staff. We are respected within the university and around the country. I have been so incredibly blessed to work at a job that I have dearly loved with people that I think of so highly - and who highly value ME. My work has been challenging, educational, interesting, downright fun - and no two days in 22 years have been the same. I work with the most amazing - and ecclectic - group of physicians and staff who are incredibly dedicated, interesting, brilliant, fun, entertaining, and just really great "humans." They always make me smile. I'm pretty sure no one has enjoyed their job more than I have - even over a 22 year stretch. They have been very helpful and supportive during this recent illness and setbacks. Yes, I am truly blessed! Thanks, everyone!